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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
It was very good, but I felt like Imogene surviving was a bit too convenient, and Connor's sudden allegiance at the end was...odd. I still loved it, but the ending felt contrived.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
I really love this series so much more than I expected to. Plot and twists are great. Characters are the best. (Again Jaron is a mixture of aang, Naruto and Kaz Brekker so literally amazing). My only complaint is the age these children are willing to consider marriage is wack af.
Full review on The Bookcase Diaries.
Actual rating: 4.5 out of 5
There are always mixed feelings that come into play whenever I finish a series I adore. On one hand I close the book with an extremely satisfied smile on my face, but it is always followed by a sigh brought on by an emptiness that sets itself upon me. Today it was no different. And yet after finishing this book, despite immediately missing the characters and the adventures, there was an overwhelming sense of happiness that made my smile last a little longer.
Thank you Jennifer Nielsen for making the perfect ending for The Ascendance Trilogy.
In many ways, this was the most painful book to read for me, not only because I knew this was the last book in this wonderful series, but also because this was possibly the most emotional book of the three. With Carthya at its precarious state, until the very end it felt as though everything that could possibly go wrong for the young King Jaron pretty much did. The beginning was torture for me because I could not bear to see him so helpless and heartbroken. And numb. Jaron has always been someone who used his mind to follow what his heart dictated and to see him lose his desire to live and fight was emptying for my spirit as well.
I guess I had not realised how much I began to care for Jaron as I followed him through the books. On the second book I had sympathised and felt some concern towards Jaron's hardships in getting himself accepted (nevermind respected) as Carthya's King, but this time around it was different. I was actually worried about him as if Jaron were a kid brother of mine I needed to protect. It's such a commendable thing when an author manages to incite this kind of feeling from the reader. I've read my fair share of books and there have been very very few instances when I have felt this protective of a character, to tell you honestly.
Jaron spoiled me by constantly using his wit and will to get out of every life-threatening sticky situation thrown his way, that seeing him at his weakest and most vulnerable was something I had many difficulties coming to terms with. I could not put the book down until I was satisfied Jaron was on the way back to recovering his old self. Which is why I managed to read the bulk of the book in one sitting.
Now the structure of this novel's story is very much similar to the tried and tested formula of the previous two books-- full of adventure and surprises, plus a dash of court intrigue. But this time it was mostly focused on the bloody war. The author even used this dire situation to make sure that important concepts like friendship, family, and love, loyalty and courage, were truly fleshed out through different characters. I also love that Nielsen shows us the value of redemption and trust.
One of the things I absolutely loved as well was how I could not guess where the story would go and how this book would end at all. The book had no shortage of heart-wrenching events that made me want to tear up-- it was war after all-- so I braced myself for the worst. (No more repeats of that GoT shocker!) Thankfully the ending was extremely satisfying. It wasn't an ending made from convenience at all, nor was it too rushed, too short, and too vague. For me, it was definitely an ending that this cast of characters deserve after all the hardships they went through from the beginning of this whole journey (and I mean from the first book) down to this war. I love how it felt like Jennifer Nielsen decided to give each of her characters a last gift for working so hard throughout this series!
It amazes me that every book in this series is actually consistent in its story and delivery. There were no slumps and/or disappointments, which is why I feel quite saddened about getting to the end. To anybody out there looking for a quality fantasy series that is a quicker read than most but still packs a lot of punches, I highly recommend you give this series a try!
Actual rating: 4.5 out of 5
There are always mixed feelings that come into play whenever I finish a series I adore. On one hand I close the book with an extremely satisfied smile on my face, but it is always followed by a sigh brought on by an emptiness that sets itself upon me. Today it was no different. And yet after finishing this book, despite immediately missing the characters and the adventures, there was an overwhelming sense of happiness that made my smile last a little longer.
Thank you Jennifer Nielsen for making the perfect ending for The Ascendance Trilogy.
In many ways, this was the most painful book to read for me, not only because I knew this was the last book in this wonderful series, but also because this was possibly the most emotional book of the three. With Carthya at its precarious state, until the very end it felt as though everything that could possibly go wrong for the young King Jaron pretty much did. The beginning was torture for me because I could not bear to see him so helpless and heartbroken. And numb. Jaron has always been someone who used his mind to follow what his heart dictated and to see him lose his desire to live and fight was emptying for my spirit as well.
I guess I had not realised how much I began to care for Jaron as I followed him through the books. On the second book I had sympathised and felt some concern towards Jaron's hardships in getting himself accepted (nevermind respected) as Carthya's King, but this time around it was different. I was actually worried about him as if Jaron were a kid brother of mine I needed to protect. It's such a commendable thing when an author manages to incite this kind of feeling from the reader. I've read my fair share of books and there have been very very few instances when I have felt this protective of a character, to tell you honestly.
Jaron spoiled me by constantly using his wit and will to get out of every life-threatening sticky situation thrown his way, that seeing him at his weakest and most vulnerable was something I had many difficulties coming to terms with. I could not put the book down until I was satisfied Jaron was on the way back to recovering his old self. Which is why I managed to read the bulk of the book in one sitting.
Now the structure of this novel's story is very much similar to the tried and tested formula of the previous two books-- full of adventure and surprises, plus a dash of court intrigue. But this time it was mostly focused on the bloody war. The author even used this dire situation to make sure that important concepts like friendship, family, and love, loyalty and courage, were truly fleshed out through different characters. I also love that Nielsen shows us the value of redemption and trust.
One of the things I absolutely loved as well was how I could not guess where the story would go and how this book would end at all. The book had no shortage of heart-wrenching events that made me want to tear up-- it was war after all-- so I braced myself for the worst. (No more repeats of that GoT shocker!) Thankfully the ending was extremely satisfying. It wasn't an ending made from convenience at all, nor was it too rushed, too short, and too vague. For me, it was definitely an ending that this cast of characters deserve after all the hardships they went through from the beginning of this whole journey (and I mean from the first book) down to this war. I love how it felt like Jennifer Nielsen decided to give each of her characters a last gift for working so hard throughout this series!
It amazes me that every book in this series is actually consistent in its story and delivery. There were no slumps and/or disappointments, which is why I feel quite saddened about getting to the end. To anybody out there looking for a quality fantasy series that is a quicker read than most but still packs a lot of punches, I highly recommend you give this series a try!
I absolutely adored this series and am sad it's over.
adventurous
lighthearted
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Jaron is the best. Glad it had a great ending. Good, like able characters and a good story.
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes